Looking to right the ship and find a path into the playoffs for the second straight season, Ottawa is set to host Bethany College on Sunday to close out Homecoming week. Prior to the match, the Braves will also recognize six student-athletes who are finishing their careers in Black and Gold this season. Kickoff from the Dick Peters Sports Complex is set for noon, with Senior Day ceremonies to begin at 11 a.m.

The Matchup

Since the turn of the millennium, Ottawa has been simply dominant in the series between the teams, with just three losses on the books among a 20-11-2 overall series record for the Braves. Since 2001, Ottawa has recorded 12 shutout wins and a pair of 0-0 draws against the Swedes.

Over the same span, the Braves have found tons of offensive success, scoring five or more goals in nine matches, with a pair of 10-0 wins and a 7-0 win to go along with last year's 6-0 road defeat of Bethany.

Last Time Out

After being forced into a goalkeeper change in the 15th minute, Ottawa wasn't able to find a groove in the windy conditions on Saturday, mustering just one shot on goal in a 3-0 loss at Kansas Wesleyan.

The Braves had the better of the possession over the first several minutes of the match, but Kansas Wesleyan had the first shot on goal, a weak header on a corner kick that was easily handled by Lena-Marie Winkler in the seventh minute. Ella Fitzpatrick and Cennet Donahue had great opportunities for Ottawa during the first half, but the Braves weren't able to connect on either.

About Bethany College

Bethany comes into Sunday's match in search of its first win on the season and offers precious little in the way of threat either offensively or defensively.

The Swedes have mustered just four goals on the season from just three scorers. Leila Jones has recorded a pair of goals for the Swedes, with Paityn Lawrence and Kellie McMahon each adding a single. Elizabeth Holland is the only other Swede on the scoresheet, having recorded a pair of assists.

Marie Miera Y Moseley has seen all of the action in goal for Bethany, posting a 7.54 goals-against average over 800:05 (Bethany's Oct. 7 match at Bethel was abandoned due to inclement weather) on the season, with a save percentage of .477.

Welcome (Back) Home

After playing the past several seasons at AdventHealth Field, Ottawa returns to the Dick Peters Sports Complex for the 2026 season.

"We are excited to be returning home to Dick Peters Sports Complex," said head coach James Cottage. "Playing on a soccer specific field, a field that is longer and wider, it will really match what we're trying to achieve. We want to play with fast wingers that can get into one on one opportunities, but this field will help defenders as well."

In addition to the benefits for the team, the fan experience is also expected to be improved with the move to Peters.

"With the move, fans can be closer to the field and really get up close and be that extra bit of support for our team," added Cottage. "I want to make it feel like a home, a place where teams look at it and go 'Oh, we've got to go to Ottawa. We have to play on that big field and it's going to be a mess.' That's what we're looking for."